Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Media Man World Blog: Elon Musk lashes Apple after it ‘threatened’ to pull Twitter off App Store

Elon Musk lashes Apple after it ‘threatened’ to pull Twitter off App Store


Twitter CEO Elon Musk has hit out at tech company Apple after it allegedly “threatened” to pull the social media service from its App Store without giving an explanation.

During a series of tweets posted on Monday (local time), Musk claimed Apple had “mostly” ceased advertising on Twitter.

“Do they hate free speech in America?” Musk tweeted.

The tech billionaire also created a Twitter poll on whether Apple should “publish all censorship actions it has taken that affect its customers”.

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Worldwide Blog: Gambling Group Estimates US Will Bet $1.8B on World Cup

Gambling Group Estimates US Will Bet $1.8B on World Cup


ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Americans will bet $1.8 billion on the World Cup this year, the first to be held while legal sports betting is widespread in the U.S., according to the casino industry's national trade group.



About 20.5 million American adults plan to bet on the biggest soccer tournament in the world, legally or otherwise, the American Gaming Association estimated Tuesday. The majority plan to place bets online, with a bookie or at a physical sportsbook.


The survey is the organization's first for World Cup betting.


Thirty-one states plus Washington, D.C., currently offer legal sports betting, with five additional markets due to begin soon.


“As the first World Cup with widespread availability of legal sports betting, this will certainly be the most bet-upon soccer event ever in the U.S.,” said Casey Clark, the group's senior vice president. “With more than half of all American adults having access to legal betting options in their home market, legal sports betting will deepen American fan engagement in the most-watched sporting event in the world.”


Legal wagering is currently available to 132 million Americans in their home states. That is up dramatically from the 2018 World Cup, when only 10 million had access to it in just three states.


That was the year New Jersey won a U.S. Supreme Court case clearing the way for all 50 states to offer legal sports betting if they so choose.


The survey asked respondents what they would bet on if they were given $50 to make a wager on the winner of the tournament. The results were: United States (24%); Brazil (19%); Argentina (17%) and Germany (10%).


It also shows plenty of room for growth in terms of betting on the World Cup. Less than 3 in 10 Americans who plan to watch the tournament say they will bet on it.


The tournament begins Nov. 20 with host nation Qatar taking on Ecuador. The U.S. has its first game the next day against Wales.

Friday, November 04, 2022

Media Man World Blog: Pop Culture, Celebrity, Gaming, Casino and Sports Betting Connection

Pop Culture, Celebrity, Gaming, Casino and Sports Betting Connection

Celebrities have always been among the pastimes biggest fans, from Mozart and Casanova to Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and beyond.


Like the rest, they frequent gambling establishments to enjoy various entertainment options. The convenience and excitement of playing casino games at one of the many online gambling sites have attracted an increasing number of celebrities in recent years.


These celebrities bet for fun as opposed to high-rollers at world-famous casinos. They have a top time at casinos and enjoy the games on offer. Most winners give some cash to charity, while some put it back into the gambling industry as well as fund other endeavors.


Let's review a few of the famous and well known names who enjoy a punt.


TOP 5 CELEBRITIES


1. MATT DAMON

Actor and big roller, Matt Damon, kicks off the list of renowned gamblers.


Matt Damon is a professional poker and blackjack player, in addition to being a famous actor. He was acting as a law student and talented poker player Mike McDermott in the 1998 blockbuster Rounders gave the five-time Oscar contender and one-time Oscar winner a newfound passion for gaming. 


Damon prepared for his role by training with Johnny Chan, a professional poker player. He is one of the world’s finest professional poker players. Damon owes him a debt of gratitude for teaching him the ropes of the game.


The famous actor from Hollywood kept playing traditional casino table games like poker and blackjack long after filming had wrapped up. Damon is periodically observed at some of the world’s most prestigious casinos, albeit he does not get to play there as often as he would like.


There are few specifics on what he’s doing with his earnings. Damon enjoys gambling and has even competed in several tournaments. He chooses to play at well-known casinos to pay out the most.


2. BEN AFFLECK

Ben Affleck, Matt Damon’s best friend, hardly needs an introduction. And he’s a card counter and gambler, much like Damon. In the 2013 crime thriller, Runner Runner, Affleck played a character who was up against a made-up empire of internet casinos. Even though the movie was poorly received by some critics, but not by hardcores, Affleck kept on gambling, and the personnel at the casinos where he played said that he always left tips.


3. GEORGE CLOONEY

George Clooney, the co-star of Matt Damon in several Hollywood films, has long been a fan of the casino scene and has been in the process of purchasing a Las Vegas gambling establishment since 2005. Unfortunately, this famous high-ideas roller never got off the ground, so he visited the casinos of others and appeared in films like Ocean’s Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen.


4. BRAD PITT

Brad Pitt is up next. Like many of his coworkers, it appears that the Ocean’s franchise introduced him to the joys of gambling, specifically card games like poker and blackjack. Before filming the gambling scenes, Pitt visited multiple casinos to hone his game and soak in the distinctive casino ambiance. He still likes to play blackjack at the casino whenever he has the time.


5. FLOYD MAYWEATHER

Although many have gambled on Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s bouts, the flamboyant boxer has been known to bet huge sums of money on other sporting events. He allegedly considered placing a $400,000 bet on himself to defeat UFC superstar Conor McGregor but ultimately opted against doing so after several bookies raised doubts about the legitimacy of such a wager. In 2012, he made headlines for placing a $1.1 million bet on the NCAA football game between Oregon and Arizona State, which he then boasted about on social media.


Media Man Wrap


Gamblers come from all walks of life. Celebrities want to take part in it regularly since they find it enjoyable. Games, especially gambling games, have been the film’s subject. Keep in mind that this is just a sampling of the famous people that enjoy gambling. Most famous people regularly indulge in gambling since they like it so much. As always, bet with your head, not over it, and have fun!


References:

Media Man Int Media Man Casino News Media Global Gaming Directory Wikipedia IMDb 

The Hollywood Reporter Variety